Historic Centre of Puerto de la Cruz

The historic quarter of the district of Puerto de la Cruz was declared a Historic Artistic Area in 1985. It combines a long history with a nautical flavour as up to the 18th century it was the port of the town of La Orotava. It also has the liveliness and drive of the tourist resort it is today and has been since the 19th century, when it was one of the pioneering tourist resorts in Spain and Europe. Historical and modern features mix in a traditionally nautical district.

From the central and ever-busy square known as, the Plaza de El Charco, the pedestrian streets lead passers-by to buildings of great historical value, such as the Chapel of San Telmo, the Casa Miranda, the old hotel Marquesa, the Church of la Peña de Francia and the Casa de la Aduana. Next to the harbour is the equally charming fishing neighbourhood of La Ranilla. A little further away is the Botanical Gardens founded in the 17th century to acclimatise plant species brought from South America, Africa and Asia.